“Homing Instinct” Opens In Perth

Nov 20, 2013

Friends, family and holiday shoppers made the trek to Perth to attend the latest entrepreneurial endeavor by Cheryl Matson and Janina Fisher on November 15. The two ladies, both residents of Sharbot Lake, attracted a sizable following from Central Frontenac along with a number of Perthites for the gala opening of their brand new housewares store, Homing Instinct.

The elegant 1400 square foot store is located in a brick heritage building in downtown Perth on Gore Street, where Matson and Fisher put on quite a celebration and served guests Kir Royales, a juicy baked ham, and delicious cheeses while Toute Ensemble's Anne Archer and Melanie Fyfe entertained with their classical flute repertoire.

Both Matson and Fisher have a wealth of retail background under their belts: Matson as an interior designer and former owner of the 1980s era store Heirlooms in Sharbot Lake, and Fisher as the co-owner of a New Age book store and conference centre in Toronto for seven years.

Matson takes the lead as the business's visual stylist and curator and she headed up the renovations after the two took possession on October 1. She is also offering customers her interior design know how and is available for consultations. She described the store as “housing all the feathers for your nest - all of the great things that make a house a home.” Cheryl is a firm believer in “making every day a special occasion" and is always “warmed by the fact that people love their homes yet sometimes feel the need to seek out permission to do something new and exciting. I think the exuberance of our store and the things in it will inspire those people.”

Fisher's role is as the business's people/paper person and her smile and financial know how is a definite asset. She manned the front desk when I did my interview and assisted the 10 or 12 customers over the hour that I was there. The prices are very reasonable and Janina points out that they have something for everyone. On the wall is a 6x6 foot tapestry from France that is a consignment piece with a price tag of $1500. On the less expensive range is the great Stuart Weitzman bag for $12, the $20 woven "stair” basket and a great assortment of candle holders starting at $2. A framed engraving by Edward Finden is a find at just $50.

Their selection of inventory is both new and used, antique and modern and includes elegant table and flat ware, linens, art work, fashion accessories, (scarves, hand bags, men's ties, princess dresses), jewelry, lamps, mirrors, books (including a great selection of vintage cookbooks), clothing, quilts, duvets, tons of antique silver, vases, urns, vintage Christmas decorations, and much more. The inventory is gorgeously displayed in the beautiful lit store that boasts big bright front windows, high tin ceilings, and original wood molding. The store is spacious and guests can browse and even lounge with a complimentary cup of tea or cider.

Fisher said the goal is to make people feel at home. “We really love to take care of our customers and we both really enjoy meeting and connecting with people. It's all about is romancing the home and helping people get away from cheap, poorly made stuff and replacing those things instead with older, nicer objects that are well made, have character and are beautiful.”

Homing Instinct is located at 87 Gore Street East (just across from Peter's Restaurant and the old Town hall) and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am - 6pm. From now until Christmas the store will also be open on Sundays from 10-6. For more information call 613-267-0000.